imagine: a world of peace and love.

 Cuomo after the vote said New York has continued its legacy as a beacon for social justice movements.

“The other states look to New York for the progressive direction,” Cuomo said. “What we said today is, you look to New York once again. New York made a powerful statement, not just for the people of New York, but for people all across this nation.”

[…]

“I have defined doing the right thing as treating all persons with equality,” Saland said. “And that equality includes the definition of marriage. I fear that to do otherwise would fly in the face of my upbringing.”

[…]

“I cannot legally come up with an argument against same-sex marriage,” Grisanti said.

[…]

“New York has finally torn down the barrier that has prevented same-sex couples from exercising the freedom to marry and from receiving the fundamental protections that so many couples and families take for granted,” he said. “With the world watching, the Legislature, by a bipartisan vote, has said that all New Yorkers are equal under the law. With this vote, marriage equality will become a reality in our state, delivering long overdue fairness and legal security to thousands of New Yorkers.”

[…]

“Marriage says that we are family,” Duane said. “Louis and I are family. And marriage strengthens all family. It’s going to strengthen my family and all New York families.”

[…]

Bloomberg, the major financial supporter for the state senate Republicans, called the vote “the culmination of a decades-long struggle for equality by gay and lesbian New Yorkers.”

“We have taken the next big step on our national journey toward a more perfect union,” Bloomberg added.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who announced her support for gay marriage when she was appointed to the Senate in 2009 by former Gov. David Paterson, thanked Cuomo and state lawmakers.

“New York State has sent a powerful message to the rest of the nation,” she said. “The right to get married and start a family is a basic, human right that must be shared by all Americans. Every loving, committed couple in America deserves this right. And no politician should stand in the way of this fact.”

[…]

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57749_Page2.html#ixzz1QIKnMcm1

LOVE CONQUERS HATE…ALWAYS.

love, justice and equality will always, always prevail.

[human rights & civil rights = LGBT rights.

LGBT rights = human rights & civil rights.]

just believe it, and it will reign.

what a monumental day. the NYS Senate’s vote to legalize same-sex marriage gives the national gay rights movement new momentum from the state IT WAS BORN IN.

HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NYS Senate votes 33-29 in favor of same-sex marriage!

SO FCUKING HAPPY.

however, despite being optimistic, i can’t help but be nervous and scared. the quality of life of/for countless people are on the line, mine included.

please stand on the right side of history.

please stand on the side of justice.

please stand on the side of equality.

please stand on the side of civil rights.

please stand on the side of human rights.

please stand on the side of unity.

please stand on the side of humanity.

please stand in solidarity with me.

(watch here)

my email to on-the-fence Senator Grisanti:

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Senator Grisanti,

I am a native of Buffalo, and a recent graduate of Canisius College. While I valued my time at the institution, I’d be foolish to credit my education as the reasoning behind my stance on the issue of same-sex marriage; this is an issue of human rights, civil rights, justice and equality. And furthermore, this is an issue of love. At a time in our society where people are constantly put down for their sexuality, and who they love, so much that it drives them to suicide, you need to truly exam the magnitude of your vote.

This is a defining moment in your freshman year as Senator for the “City of Good Neighbors,” and New York State as a whole. We are taught throughout of lives to be a leader (e.g. for me, “Where Leaders Are Made” at Canisius), and now that you have attained such recognized status, I implore you to look in wards, as well as listen to the overwhelming call for equality from all across New York State, when deciding how to vote on this issue.

Have some compassion. Stand by the belief that love is love, no matter who it’s shared between. Give LGBTQ youth, and adults, hope that it is getting better, and they should stick around to enjoy it. And lead by example, unafraid to step outside your party’s stance on the issue.

I urge you to vote in favor of the Marriage Equality Bill, so ALL of your constituents are guaranteed the right of freedom to marry.

There is so much on the line here… How do you want to be remembered when the history books are rewritten to include the civil rights movement of our time (LGBT Rights/Equality)?

In peace and solidarity,
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if you’re a resident of NYS, join me and email him at: grisanti@nysenate.gov